By Rahul Dixit
Close on the lines of United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres’ caution to the world about geopolitical divides undermining people’s faith and trust in democratic institutions and the Security Council, Indian External Affairs Minister Mr. S Jaishankar has served a timely and critical reminder to the UNSC to reflect on the signals it is sending on impunity. Mr Jaishankar’s remarks came at the UNSC discussion on impunity for the crimes in Ukraine where he reiterated the Indian position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, targetted China for its stranglehold on sanctioning terrorists and also showed mirror to the UNSC for utter failure in resurrecting its sagging image of a toothless tiger.
India has been making its position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine pretty clear to the world by seeking to side with diplomacy and dialogue instead of a military conflict. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s bilateral with Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, too, had a clear message that “this is not the era of war”. Though it was on the traditional position New Delhi opts on conflicts, the face-to face message by Mr. Modi held a huge significance in terms of the fast-changing geopolitical equations. The same line was logically extended by Mr. Jaishankar at the UNSC while commenting on the Ukraine situation and India’s detestation for violation of human rights. He reminded the UNSC how India has been backing independent investigations into the killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha where more than 400 bodies were found in the month of April.
India’s insistence on not using politics to facilitate impunity and evade accountability is also message to China to stop blocking sanctions against Pakistan-based terrorists including LeT leader Sajid Mir, JeM’s Abdul Rauf Azhar, and JuD leader Abdul Rehman Makki. China’s tacit support to Pakistan has helped the dreaded terrorists escape sanctions. Beijing’s conduct is in direct contravention of the UNSC charter that calls for severe punishment to all egregious attacks. Yet, the veto it enjoys helps China put a hold on such proposals. The hopeless situation needs a sweeping change that can come only through restructuring of the UNSC. This was Mr. Jaishankar’s direct message to the Chamber.
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